HOUSTON – A Houston father waiting for a liver transplant says he used his savings to move into a house near the Texas Medical Center, then learned the person guiding him through the process had no authority over the property. The discovery left him with almost no money, no access to medication, and no clear place to go.
Inside the house, boxes were scattered near the hallway. Tim Clement struggled to stand while he described what brought him here. His voice broke several times. At one point he covered his face and said he did not know how to move forward.
Tim came from Pearland so he could remain close to Methodist Hospital. His condition requires quick access to treatment. He says the move was supposed to give him stability during a difficult time.
“We moved to be closer to the medical center,” Tim said. “I am stage four liver failure. I am waiting for a call from my doctors.”
He said he believed living near the Medical Center would help him get through the wait for a transplant.
A man contacted him after an online request
Tim requested a viewing online. Soon after, a man reached out and offered to walk him through the house. According to Tim, the man showed him how to use the door code through a screen share. The man also sent him a lease with an attorney’s name on it along with messages saying he passed background checks.
“He walked me through the door code on my laptop,” Tim said. “Everything looked legitimate.”
The steps made Tim confident that the process was real.
Keys, garage openers, and a sense of trust
Tim says the man later arrived in person. He brought keys, garage door openers, and directions for moving in. Tim says the interaction left no reason to question the situation.
“He even brought us the keys,” Tim said. “He told me enjoy your new home.”
Tim moved his family in that same week.
Thousands sent through Zelle to different names
Tim then received instructions for deposits and payments. He sent more than three thousand dollars through Zelle and hundreds more in cash. Each payment was connected to a different name or number. Tim says he believed this was a standard part of the process because the man gave consistent explanations.
“About three thousand one hundred through Zelle and four fifty in cash,” Tim said.
Then a representative from the real property owner arrived
Tim says the first indication of trouble came when a representative from Invitation Homes arrived at the door. He says she explained that the property had never been placed with him and that an eviction process had already started.
“She told me they had to start the eviction process,” Tim said.
The news left him sitting in silence, gripping his stomach from pain.
His money was gone. His accounts were frozen. His medication was out of reach.
Tim says the financial hit happened quickly. He says his accounts were frozen during a bank review.
“He froze all my accounts,” Tim said. “I do not know how.”
He then added, “I have twenty seven dollars in my pocket and I cannot afford my medicine.”
Several of his medications are needed to manage his liver condition. Some of them reach into the hundreds of dollars when not covered by insurance.
Phone numbers connected to the payments went silent
Tim showed the numbers he sent money to. Messages on the phones displayed names and amounts that matched his statements.
One of the numbers was contacted by KPRC 2 and the person on the line disconnected once a reporter identified the station.
“Why would you do this to me,” Tim said through tears. “You knew everything I was going through.”
One small moment for the family
During the interview, Tim mentioned his son’s birthday. The family had no money left to mark the day. After the interview, a small cake was brought to the home so his son could have a moment of celebration inside the house where they were trying to make sense of everything.
Houston police and bank investigators are reviewing the case
Houston police and Tim’s bank are reviewing the documents, messages, and transfers. Updates will be added as new information is confirmed.